Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Cultural Foundations: Falling in Love, Love and Human Sexuality
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English,
Teaching staff
Introduction
Today we find ourselves in a cultural environment marked by profound economic and social changes. We are facing a "cultural and anthropological transformation that generates new languages and discards without discernment the paradigms that history has given us". These changes bring new opportunities, but also new challenges that must be faced in order to discern with the eyes of faith the direction of these transformations and to act accordingly.
One of the main areas that has been profoundly transformed is the understanding of sexuality and human affectivity. In a positive way, talking about sexuality is now a socially accepted practice that has facilitated new approaches to sexuality. However, this has been accompanied by a lack of education and information that has led to the adoption of reductionist models. Specifically, these are models that separate sexuality from 1) human love, 2) identity, and 3) human affectivity. These new models tend to emphasize only aspects related to sexual health, physicality, and the exercise of sexuality, without considering the richness and complexity of sexuality. When we understand the person as a whole and dignified being, separating sexuality from love, identity and affectivity changes the way we interact and relate to others.
Following the goal of the Interdisciplinary Center of Thought (CIP) to promote reflection on the mission of the University and the implications of its Christian identity, this course aims to teach about sexuality and human love, illuminating it with the richness and beauty of the transcendent anthropological gaze.
The course covers biological, physiological and psychological concepts related to human sexuality, such as falling in love and love, sexual intercourse and its dysfunctions, fertilization and implantation, family planning and infertility. The course also includes current issues in human sexuality such as affectivity education, the impact of adolescent sexuality, and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
Pre-course requirements
There are no pre-requisites for this course
Objectives
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Convey the truth and meaning of sexuality and love from a positive perspective; propose an experience of sex and affection that is commensurate with the value of the individual.
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Teach the difference between sexual health and healthy sexuality. The aim is to deepen knowledge of sexual health and expand training on how to practise healthy sexuality. Students should have the opportunity to get to know themselves better, accept themselves and treat themselves and others healthily in relationships.
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Respond to the affective and sexual concerns of our time, as well as those of our students, using clear and accessible language.
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Facilitate an understanding of the relationship with oneself and with others, through dynamic methodologies
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 33 - To be able to search for, interpret and convey information.
- 46 - To acquire the ability to understand and participate in conferences and lectures in an academic context.
- 50 - To acquire the ability to relate concepts, analyse and synthesise.
- 52 - To develop interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
- 53 - To acquire the skills necessary to learn autonomously.
- 54 - To be able to express one’s ideas and formulate arguments in a logical and coherent way, both verbally and in writing.
- 56 - To be able to create arguments which are conducive to critical and self-critical thinking.
- 57 - To acquire skills which favour reading comprehension.
- 58 - To be able to develop self-assessment exercises.
- 60 - To acquire knowledge that promotes respect for other cultures and habits.
- 62 - To acquire mechanisms that facilitate the adoption of ethical commitments.
- 65 - To acquire the ability to put knowledge into practice.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Have the ability to think critically and reflectively, and to investigate and adopt a scientific and ethical approach to human sexuality and affectivity.
To know how to apply theoretical knowledge of human fertility to practice.
To have acquired an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human sexual reality.
To be interested in social problems related to human sexuality and affectivity.
Syllabus
Module 1. Biology and health
Anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive system.
Menstrual cycle, fertility indicators, combined fertility and fertility window.
Beginning of human life.
Infertility and sterility and their psychological impact.
Module 2. Identity, affectivity and dynamism of the heart
Alphabet of affections: emotions and feelings
Affective dynamism
Attraction and falling in love
Friendship and mature love
Linking affectivity with sexuality
Module 3. Person as an encounter being.
Anthropology of human sexuality
Differences in the response of male and female sexuality.
The person as a being of masculine and feminine encounter
Encounter and relationship
Module 4. Dating and sexuality
Myths of romantic love
Dating and sexuality
Time and knowledge
Bonding and sexual understanding
The Value of Waiting and the New Virginity
Module 5. Current challenges
Affective wounds and toxic relationships
Intimate partner violence
Pornography and hypersexualization
Teaching and learning activities
In person
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Training activity |
Methodology |
Case Method Critical Reading Preparation and realization of evaluable activities Autonomous Study Work and exercises |
Case study approach and resolution Self-study and personal work Debate and discussion |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1st round:
80% Final Exam
- Written multiple-choice exam covering all theoretical and practical content of the course.
- Multiple choice questions: 1 minute per question; 0.33 points deducted for each error.
20% Oral evaluation book
- Oral evaluation on the book “Los cinco lenguajes del amor” (Gary Chapman)
*IMPORTANT: Attendance is mandatory and it is a necessary condition to attend 80% of the classes to be able to take the final exam.
2nd round of exams:
In the exams of the second call, the grade of the continuous evaluation is maintained, therefore the student must pass the recovery exam with a minimum of 5 to be able to make an average.
Bibliography and resources
Basic bibliography for the subject:
Chapman, G. (1992). Los 5 lenguajes del amor. Unilit
De Irala, J. (2020). Un momento inolvidable. Juntos por primera vez. 2a ed. revisada y ampliada.
Ceriotti, M. (2018). Erótica y Materna. Rialp
Ceriotti, M. (2019). Masculino. Rialp
AAVV, (2024). Reconocimiento Natural de la Fertilidad. Eunsa
Additional recommended books:
Chapman, G. (1992). Los 5 lenguajes del amor. Unilit
De Irala, J. (2020). Te quiero, por eso no quiero. El valor de la espera.
Noriega, J. (2022). Diccionario de sexo, amor y fecundidad. Didaskalos
Silva, J.M. (2018). Sexo: cuándo y por qué. La sexualidad al desnudo. Palabra
De Irala, J. (2019). Sedientos de misericordia. Los jóvenes, el amor y su sexualidad.
Villena, A. (2023). ¿POR qué NO? Cómo prevenir y ayudar en la adicción a la pornografía. Alienta.
Gutiérrez, J.(2021). La trampa del sexo Digital: Guía definitiva para prevenir y superar la adicción a la pornografía. Almazara.
López-Moratalla, N. (2007)., El primer viaje de la vida. Palabra.
Chiclana, C. (2013). Atrapados en el sexo. El amargo placer de la hipersexualidad. Almuzara.
Gottman, J., Silver, N. (2010). Siete reglas de oro para vivir en pareja. Debolsillo.
Aysa, M. (2001). Sexo, un motivo para amar. Palabra.
Munilla, J.I., Pereda, B. (2015). Sexo con alma y cuerpo. Freshbook.
López- Moratalla, N. (2007). Cerebro de mujer y cerebro de varón. Rialp.
López-Guzmán, J. (2009). Cuando el hijo no llega. Manual para parejas infecundas. Formación Alcalá.
De Irala, J. (2023) Mírale a los ojos.